Amaki village, Nukuma people Washkuk Hills, Upper Sepik River, PNG.

Figurative pottery is made for use in the yam fertility ceremonies, primarily the ‘Yena’ ceremony, but also sometimes in the ‘Mindja’ ceremony. This is an evocative potery figure from the “Yena” ceremony, with a simple face of phallic nose, and holes for the eyes and mouth; all painted in red and white. The pot is old and well-used; it was collected in early 1980s in Amaki village.